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Word from Scotland

    by Sandy Shaw

O Lord My God, My Fortress, My Rock, My Refuge
Date Posted: January 30, 2023

We are reading in Psalm 94 – we come to verse 12 . It is as if the Psalmist re-tunes his harp to play softer melodies. Blessed is the man you discipline - there is a difference between being disciplined and being punished. In some areas of life, we are aware of that and can usually recognise it - but somehow it is not so easily recognised in the spiritual realms.

And - there is another person blessed - the man You teach from Your law.

The Psalmist places discipline before teaching - establishing a principle which has almost been reversed in these days - "Without discipline there can be no real teaching." When discipline is abandoned, teaching ceases. If a teacher cannot exercise discipline, he cannot really teach. But - God goes even further - He will not try to teach those who refuse His discipline.

Understand something of the nature of these blessings - "You grant him relief from days of trouble."

We are confronted here with two alternatives - we can come under God's discipline now and be preserved from His judgement - or we can refuse God's discipline now and come under His judgement in days which lie ahead. And - we either discipline ourselves or God will discipline us - or send someone else to discipline us.

v.14 . The Lord will not reject His People - He will never forsake His Inheritance. He will never go back on those whom He has chosen. He will never go back on His choice of Israel - NEVER.

v.15 . Judgement will again be founded on righteousness - when God acts as Judge, HE is always right. Always.

v.16 . Then, comes this call - Who will rise up? Who will take a stand? Who in these present days will stand - and go on standing for truth and righteousness? God is looking for people - who will rise up - and stand - and testify and witness.

v.17 . The Psalmist remembers how God had helped him - when he thought he was slipping - there was a presence - a love - a support.

God is so understanding - He knows all about our weaknesses - and He does not reject us on account of them. He does not ask us to come before Him - or present ourselves to the world, with a façade of strength, which has no basis in reality. All He asks is that we sincerely yield to HIM.

The Psalmist realised that he could not save himself. When we think that things are almost getting out of hand - and we are losing control - when He hears our voice - our cry for help - He is there to support and uphold.

v.19 . When I experienced anxiety - what honesty - this man of God could still be touched by anxiety - and he was unafraid to admit it. Our God shows us His man - going through times and seasons of ANXIETY - and he finds God consoling him - and bringing joy to his soul. Has it not been in such times that we experience the joy of God flooding our lives - the Holy Spirit ministering to us in a new but real and realistic way - reassuring us - or whatever it might be.

Sometimes, the greater the pressure, the more powerful is the consolation – have a look at 2Corinthians 1verses 8,9.

v.20 . He asks another question - and the answer is a conspiracy against the throne of God and the people of God - with one goal - one aim - death.

v.22 . But the Lord has become my fortress - my Rock - my Masada. He will deal with the sinful enemy and his wickedness. He will deal with them totally and finally.

In one sense, this Psalm is all about living our life in the Presence of God - with everything else going on around us - and we can discern His Presence - His Absolute Control - His Sovereignty - His Being in Charge - His Care - His Strength - His Supportive and Supporting Love.

“Loving God – we thank You and praise You and worship You for the riches we have in Christ Jesus. We give thanks for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We continue to trust You, knowing that You are the Sovereign Lord and in total control. We rely upon Your care and strength – resting in Your supportive and supporting love. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 24, 2010)

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Biography Information:

Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!

Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.

Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.

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